An ambitious spring program aimed at the Group One Flight Stakes awaits Northern Glory, winner of the two-year-old event at Randwick on Saturday.
Trainer Gai Waterhouse has a big opinion of the filly who overhauled favourite Everage in the straight to win the Mounties Group Plate (1200m).
Sent out at $5, Northern Glory beat Everage ($3.60) by a length with the winner's stablemate Ryker ($21) another 2-1/4 lengths third.
"She is a very exciting filly," Waterhouse said.
"She raced through the summer and went to Queensland where she ran fourth in the Bruce McLachlan.
"It's a great learning experience for young horses and she is getting better and better.
"She may have one more run and then get ready for the spring and the fillies races."
Waterhouse, who is noted for her ability to attract owners to racing, was particularly happy to celebrate a winner for a syndicate headed by her son-in-law Luke Ricketson.
"Kate is at home recovering from a minor eye operation and he has stayed home to look after her," Waterhouse said.
The filly was ridden by apprentice Alysha Collett who said things didn't go to plan.
"I didn't quite follow the instructions but no panic she still won well," Collett said.
"Once she got her momentum going she kept going and I knew that she was always going to slowly grind the other one down.
"She will be a nice three-year-old."